Human Rights in the News: July 2020

Curated by Nikki Bambauer and Nina Simone Grotch

Welcome to the July 2020 edition of Human Rights in the News, Woven Teaching’s monthly collection of important human rights stories from around the world.

A watchtower at a high-security facility where Uighurs are allegedly being imprisoned (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Could The International Criminal Court Investigate Atrocities Against The Uighur Muslims In China?
Ewelina U. Ochab  |  Forbes  |  July 7, 2020

Lawyers for the East Turkistan Government in Exile and the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement recently submitted a communication to the International Criminal Court (ICC) asking for an investigation of senior Chinese leaders for genocide allegedly perpetrated against the Uighur community. Although the ICC does not have jurisdiction in China, the communication argues that part of the criminal conduct took place in countries that are party to the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty. Learn more >

The cenotaph, with flagpoles on either side, in St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetary (Credit: Peter J. Thompson / Postmedia)

Graffiti on monument commemorating Nazi SS division being investigated as a hate crime by police
David Pugliese  |  Ottowa Citizen  |  July 17, 2020

The St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery in Oakville, Ontario (Canada) features a cenotaph commemorating those who served in the 14th SS Division, a Ukranian division which pledged allegiance to Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich during World War II. Earlier this month, the cenotaph was vandalized when someone painted “Nazi war monument” on it. This incident begs the question: Should this type of monument be allowed? Learn more >

Duterte in front of a microphone, wearing a red collared shirt with the top two buttons undone (Credit: picture-alliance/AP Photo/Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division/A. Morandante)

Duterte's four years in power — extrajudicial killings, rights abuses and terror
Ana P. Santos  |  Deutsche Welle  |  July 7, 2020

The UN Human Rights Council recently released a report that characterizes Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s rule as “heavy handed,” stating that it has resulted in widespread and systematic killings. Duterte has spearheaded laws and policies targeting drug users and those who challenge human rights abuses in the country. Nearly 30,000 suspected drug dealers have been killed since Duterte assumed office in 2016. Learn more >

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on a moped, wearing a helmet and waving to the camera (Credit: Sergio Lima/AFP via Getty Images)

Brazil's Bolsonaro Is Accused Of Crime Against Humanity Over Coronavirus 'Neglect'
Philip Reeves  |  NPR  |  July 27, 2020

A group of unions and organizations representing more than 1 million Brazilian medical professionals have filed a complaint to the International Criminal Court accusing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of committing a crime against humanity by reacting to the COVID-19 outbreak with "contempt, neglect and denial." Learn more >

Unidentified security forces in Portland, Oregon point large weapons at protesters out of frame (Credit: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)

U.N. human rights office calls on U.S. police to limit use of force
Siobhán O'Grady  |  The Washington Post  |  July 24, 2020

In the wake of a debate over police violence in the United States last month, the UN Human Rights Council has called on U.S. security forces – police as well as the federal forces deployed to Portland – to limit their use of force against protesters and journalists. According to a UN spokesperson, there is a worry that those detained by unidentified forces may be placed outside the protection of the law. Learn more >

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